Get you up to speed: Trespassers on tracks caused 1,000,000 minutes worth of rail delays last year | News UK
In the UK, there were over 19,000 trespassing incidents on train tracks last year, resulting in 19 fatalities and 85 serious injuries. The incidents caused one million minutes of delays to the rail network, with an estimated cost of £67 million, according to National Rail.
Authorities reported over 19,000 trespass incidents on railway tracks last year, resulting in 19 fatalities and 85 serious injuries. National Rail’s new safety campaign, titled ‘No Second Chances’, aims to address the dangers of trespassing, highlighting that such incidents caused one million minutes of delays, translating to a £67 million cost to the rail network.
National Rail has initiated the ‘No Second Chances’ safety campaign in response to over 19,000 trespass incidents last year, which resulted in 19 fatalities and significant delays. British Transport Police Chief Inspector Joe Gorman emphasised the dangers, stating, “Trespassing on the railway is never worth the risk,” and urged the public to respect railway boundaries to prevent catastrophic consequences.
What remains unclear — It is still unknown how many of the 19,000 trespass incidents involved serious injuries or fatalities related to specific behaviours.
Trespassing on railway tracks caused one million minutes of delays last year
Trespassing on train tracks not only killed 19 people last year, but also caused one million minutes of delays across the UK’s rail network.
There were more than 19,000 trespass incidents last year, WTX can reveal, with 19 people killed and 85 seriously injured.
Incidents include people retrieving dropped items or crossing the tracks to save time. Even people standing too close to the line have caused delays.
This has led to one million minutes of delays, costing around £67 million, National Rail has confirmed.
The figures come as National Rail launches their ‘No Second Chances’ safety campaign.
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Dinusha Ilanperuma was nearly killed when she trespassed onto tracks while walking back from a party with her friends at Shepperton Station, Surrey, 10 years ago.
The then-15-year-old went onto the tracks to retrieve her shoe, but as she climbed back onto the platform, she slipped and landed on an electrified rail.
She had to undergo skin grafts for third-degree burns on her left arm, back and foot, as well as relearning to use her arm.
Dinusha, now 26, told WTX: ‘I’m lucky to be alive. I still have the scars from that night, and it so easily could have been much worse.
‘My friends had to watch as I was electrocuted. When I woke up in the hospital, people told me they could smell the burnt flesh on my skin. It was horrible hearing that. I don’t want anyone to ever have to experience what I went through.
‘I want people to stop and think. To realise the dangers of trespassing on the railway. To ask themselves: “Is that really worth risking my life over?”‘
British Transport Police Chief Inspector Joe Gorman said: ‘Trespassing on the railway is never worth the risk.
‘It’s illegal and puts lives in immediate danger. As police officers we respond to trespass incidents every day and the consequences of some are catastrophic.’
Louise McNally, Trespass Prevention Specialist at Network Rail said: ‘Trains and the railway are an integral part of our society, and our railways in Britain are among the safest in Europe. But that safety depends on respecting the railway and not trespassing – no matter how briefly.
‘Trains can travel upwards of 100 mph and weigh 600 tonnes. They’re faster and quieter than ever. And that’s not to mention the electrified rails and overhead wires, the latter of which carry tens of thousands of volts of electricity. That’s why we’re urging people to think again before they trespass on the railway.
‘This campaign isn’t about criminalising or shaming people. We understand that people trespass because they don’t fully understand the dangers. This is about making people realise that if you trespass on the railway, the consequences could be dire.’
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